How we arrange our lives always comes down, in most cases, to what we consider most important. We assign, mentally, a number to each task in our lives. These are our priorities.

There are always reasons why we do one thing before another, and when we forget we look for excuses. It’s a funny thing about life…..the things we don’t really need seem to creep up to a level of importance….strange, isn’t it?? “I don’t have time for this…..that’s too hard for me…..I couldn’t afford it.” Holiday cards are a good example. Who do we place top of the list for cards for us to send? Who do we forget? perhaps because we don’t want to ask the question why? Priorities matter.

Work, Love, and Leisure all are involved with priorities. The amount of time that we spend on each eventually affect the outcome of our lives. All this can leave one with a sense of not having control over one’s life, while in reality how we arrange our priorities directly help us get a grip on what’s important.
I recently had a conversation with a friend that involved priorities. My friend is a sculptor. She makes incredible art pieces. All her family always remark to friends how wonderful and talented she is, but strangely, they never seem to buy one of her pieces. This had a sobering affect on my friend. First she thought perhaps they were not really as good as people said……but that couldn’t be true, she reasoned, because others had no problem purchasing them. Then one day she decided to call her sister and ask her flat out, “You always praise my work……yet you don’t support it.” Her sister responded, “I have to be honest…..I’m jealous of you. I have been most of my life.” My friend was speechless. It’s easy to say that she should have given away her art to members of her family, for free. That’s not the point…..her family has no problem going to the local mall and buying whatever they want. But, when it comes to supporting someone who is a family member, or perhaps a friend, then it has to be free, free, free. How did she resolve the situation? Simple…..each Christmas she hands a member of her family a piece of sculpture she made. Of course, at first she gets a blank stare that says, “Where’s the real gift?” But they’ve gotten used to it, and to her, they got the message. As always, priorities work best when they are reciprocated.

This kind of stuff happens all the time, but we stay silent, afraid to say how we really feel. Priorities are all around us…..are own, and of others. All it takes is for us to be honest with ourselves and not pretend, then lo and behold, life takes on a whole new meaning, and sometimes direction.

Prioritize,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

No matter where we roam out there, to others it’s easy to understand why we can be seen as a face in the crowd. One of a sea of faces that passes through life in the blink of an eye. Each face, having its own story to tell, unique unto itself.

Society casually assigns us a number to be placed on our heads and written down on many documents, like social security, drivers license, bank accounts, etc. It comes as no surprise that after awhile we feel expendable. Just another number….in a crowd called humanity. At this point we could all sit back, accept this classification, and trot on down the road of life. I don’t know about you, but I see my life as far more meaningful than this.

Each life is sacred…..a miracle with each breath. It can never be taken for granted, and the efforts put forth can affect many. We are more than numbers crunched in a computer that is spit out at random. We live, we breathe, we help, we hurt, we struggle, we overcome. Acts that are far more profound than a series of numbers. A person is more than a face in the crowd. We can never forget the importance of each individual life.

Fame and fortune are fleeting…….the little guy/girl too shapes the world. Society has no problem putting each one of us on a certain level, or in a specific group, based on economics, country, or religion. I say throw away the levels….they are meaningless and destructive. The child starving in Afghanistan is your child…..the shepherd in Istanbul is your brother, the old woman making millions in her money market in England is your aunt, the addict crossing the border into Canada is your sister……all of us are interconnected……just by virtue of being human beings on one planet. All faces in the crowd….rubbing shoulders anonymously.

We can never forget the good that one life can do. Hey, it’s easy to be reminded each night on the evening news the destructiveness of mankind…..but far too little airtime is given to the miracles that are created daily. So-called simple people making a difference. Each life has a purpose beyond the crowd.

Seize the day,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

Almost every week I receive a letter from somebody who feels that they’ve been done an injustice. Some of the letters are just heart-wrenching……a house that has been robbed…..money that is missing……and even murder committed. Injustices happen everyday. Some people don’t get it, that in one way or another, nothing goes unpunished.

Let’s take a scenario: Why should I be good, if I believe I can get away with anything if I’m smart enough, then why not go for it? Because, call me crazy, one way or another, what I put out will come back to me. Stupidity and anger are not excuses for doing wrong deeds. Do I believe some can be rehabilitated? Sure…..once they’ve made amends to those that they’ve hurt and asked for forgiveness. As the planet grows in population, the resources to solve crimes will be stretched to the limits. That is why it is so important to stress at an early age that right is right and wrong is wrong.

We elect officials that we hold to a higher standard. When they fail, they are accountable. No person is perfect……but, when someone’s words or face is splashed nightly on the evening news with the words “Good” under their faces, when they fail, an explanation should be given. We can all forgive, but we must never forget, or we are doomed to repeat.

To my friends out there who feel that justice has turned a blind eye to their pain, fear not my friend, because out there beyond our control is a far Higher Court. I am not a religious fanatic, but I’ve seen enough in my days to believe what goes around comes around. Justice never comes the way we expect it.

Embrace Life……tell those that you love that you love them……enjoy every minute and squeeze every ounce of joy out of Life. Remember, Evil only wins, when you stop Loving.

Follow the Law,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

Human beings have an uncanny ability to under or overvalue just about everything. Rarely are things, on a general scale, looked at as fair value. Our own worth of ourselves too can fall victim to this scenario. In a world that sways back and forth in competition, is it any surprise why some of us underestimate our potential and fail to see our inner gifts?

We too can make mistakes and judge others incorrectly. It takes time and a little distance to see the full impact of what a person can contribute. Worth in our society can get real dicey. A person’s worth can be judged by their age, race, religion, finances, etc. When was the last time we heard that each life is priceless, and everyone can contribute to make this world a better place, in their own unique way? Some just give up and say, “To heck with this!” A sorry state indeed, which leads many to corrupt themselves and commit crimes. Self-esteem is one of the vital building blocks of life, yet many fall into the trap, over time, of feeling worthless.

I would like to share a little story with you that the owner of my local coffee shop told me: “Jennifer,” he said, “I have this guy who comes in everyday before he heads off to the race track, to put his money on the horse of the day. It’s easy for him to lose two hundred dollars a week, yet he argues with me over every penny he has to pay for a cup of coffee, buttered roll, or doughnut. He’s never short of money for the race track, but it’s quite often that he asks me if he can pay me tomorrow.” This is an example of how worth plays a roll in our lives. The brand new car, that costs forty-thousand dollars…..we can plop down, go in debt, not bat an eyelash. But, it’s easy to forget to telephone a person who’s a relative or a friend to tell them we love them. These are the trappings we must keep in perspective.

There is worth in life………and it is up to each one of us to assign the correct value. Not what we see on television…….but, what deep down inside we know in our hearts. The more true value we have in our lives, the more we can appreciate living.

Find the value,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

We breathe in air thousands of times a day….each breath unto itself is a miracle. Every time we breathe in and exhale, we reaffirm the existence of the Force of Life. Isn’t it strange that after a while these breaths are taken for granted? As if there are endless more to be taken…..
The length of each breath determines the amount of oxygen we allow into our lungs. I know for me it’s easy to take short breaths automatically….but boy, when I sit back and take in a large extended breath, wow! Exercise forces us to take in more air then we normally would. For me, the more air I take in, the more alive I feel.

The air we breathe has value…..how many daily fight for each breath, just to stay alive because of illness? Yet when we sit back and relax, and let ourselves take the time, we understand this vital connection to Life. Oxygen is priceless. It is free, and so many of us take it for granted. There are many governments, that if they could, they would surely impose a tax upon it!!! That’s the beauty…..air is for everyone. A right of birth.

What would happen if a group of friends, or a family, sat down together for one hour a week and just took long breaths of air? Would it relax them? Would it let them feel more peaceful? Would it give them time to stop and reflect? Can you see it now…..the front page of the daily newspaper announcing “The Breathing Session Phenomenon!” Hey, things could be worse!!!

It’s easy to forget to sit back and just breathe instead of running around at the speed of sound. To breathe is to live…..the more we breathe, the more we live.

Take a deep breath,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

We all are a speck on the face of God. Inside each one of us is the possibility for a miracle. The tools are there, and all it takes is for us to pick them up and help change not only our own world, but of others too.

On a starry night if one looks up at the sky and sees the wonder of the Universe, the depth and the distance between the stars is enormous. Yes, they too hold a place on the face of God. Everything is interconnected, like a huge chain that stretches to the end of time. The past, the present and the future all have a place on that chain. The face of God has room for everyone and everything, each part unique and special unto itself, while one thing remains the core of it all……Love.

Each day if we allow ourselves to see, we get a glimpse of the face of God. It could be an unexpected gesture, a family celebration, a gathering around the morning cup of coffee, or, a blessed event. The enjoyment and hope that life is cherished is present each day, if we allow ourselves to see. Each one of us is just as important as the next person and all are equal in the face of God.
Now, if only we could convey to more people around the world that perhaps we all are part of the face of God, maybe we could solve more problems and decrease our differences. For if all we do is look at what separates us, we are doomed for one outcome. Many groups worldwide lay claim to exclusive rights to the face of God, when in reality the face is owned by no single man or woman.
There are many thing to learn in life…..but maybe one of the most important is that we leave this world a little better for having been here. That would truly bring a smile to the face of God.

love,
Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

The time of life between birth and death is simply known as “The Struggle.” The space of time where we make our contributions to the Book of Life. Joy and pain, ups and downs, successes and failures……these are terms we get to know all too well through The Struggle.

I truly believe that Life is a learning process….the more we learn the better we become at handling the next steps ahead. If we don’t take time to look at our mistakes, we are destined to repeat them over and over again. As each year rolls by we become more and more responsible for what the future may deliver. A ten year old child cannot be expected to have the same insight and life experience of a fifty year old. Life should be looked upon as a fine wine…..with age, the taste gets better.

In a society that caters too much to the first twenty-five years of life, far too little is focused upon the experience gained through age. Hopefully, through The Struggle, we acquire the knowledge that is needed to make sense and give purpose to our own individual lives. Many of us feel alone in The Struggle, while really we journey through it together. A human family that shares life daily….far too many times seeing the differences while ignoring the bonds that we have in common.

The baker, the homemaker, the craftsman, the teacher, etc……all are roles that we assume to provide the means that are necessary on the stage of life. The newborn child and the dying person can see the purpose to life. During The Struggle we must fight to hold on to the purpose of our existence. When we forget, is when we run into trouble and veer off course. Hopefully, we can reestablish the direction we were originally heading toward. I don’t believe we are accidents……The Struggle provides the evidence to prove that we are not.

Struggle On,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

Near where I live is a family that runs a farm. Jack and Laurie have two children and together they maintain a five acre spread of land. I recently had dinner at their house and was greatly surprised to learn what they do during their day. Many times when I drive past their place I have often wondered how they keep a farm going and never seem short of anything.

During dinner Jack mentioned that they rise at about 5:30 each morning and right away the coffee is turned on and the television satellite is activated to find out how the stock market is behaving that morning. “The stock market?” I asked Jack. “Yes indeed,” he replied, “I never took any courses in learning about the stock market, only my own readings and a little common sense.” Jack and Laurie used to live in New York City…..it was their dream to one day surround themselves with nature. Their house is beautiful and a nicer family you could not meet. Throughout the day they milk cows, and make cheese, which they sell to local markets. The most important aspect of their lives is the time that they donate to helping others. It is not uncommon to see Jack and Laurie at a local hospital or senior citizen center, on a Friday evening. Why do they do this? Laurie mentioned that the money they have made in the stock market over the past twenty years, they look upon as a blessing, and an opportunity to give back to those less fortunate.

So why is this a Renaissance Family? In a 24 hour period it is not unusual to find these people wearing many hats that include stockbroker, farmer, parent, mechanic, volunteer, and teacher. They believe that in order to have a healthy and successful life, one must learn many trades and foster many talents. To them, the days of just having to do one or two things in life are past.

So has your family also become a Renaissance Family? Many today are, without realizing it. Do you find yourself wearing many hats also, to accomplish the tasks of the day? We always seem to be so busy at looking at our shortcomings, while not acknowledging the gifts we offer to ourselves and our families. Within a Renaissance Family, everybody chips in. There is always somebody who knows something different. It could be screwing in a light bulb, painting a wall, or even knowing how to activate and use the VCR!!! In the Renaissance Family there is room for all to express their talents. Let’s dedicate the year 2001 to the Renaissance Family, and may it prosper and grow for many many years to come……………..

Live long and prosper,
love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2001 Jennifer Avalon

Many of us out there are feeling the affects of a malaise. A ship that is just adrift in the water, not quite knowing what tomorrow will bring. We search for the leadership that will bring us to the next level in the evolution of humanity. It’s very easy to point out what is wrong with life on planet earth…….what we need are those who can suggest answers to the problems.
In the United States this Holiday shopping season is coming out flat, at best. Who can blame people for not being in the mood to buy gifts? A lot of us feel that over the past month we have been mentally whipped with information from both sides. Never in our lifetimes have we seen such a spectacle that has taken place over voting. It is easy to understand why so many are just plain exhausted.

Around the world other countries too are dealing with issues such as bombings, bad weather, disease and hunger. This is the time of the year we look to for celebration. Hopefully, we don’t forget what it is we are celebrating. We have our families, our friends, our hopes and our dreams to embrace. It is these things that give us the strength to carry on.

It is important to remember that when a ship is adrift it can wander into the wrong port…….a port that may appear to give shelter, but may really be a pirate’s den. How do we know the safe harbor from the dangerous one? This is where leadership comes in…..a true leader is like a lighthouse that beckons to those who wander in the darkness. A true leader believes in a Higher Power………and knows that he or she must answer to God in all that they do. A true leader understands the responsibility of their position……that what they do ethically and morally will affect future generations. To hurt the children is to do damage to an entire society, from the rich to the poor. A true leader doesn’t just promise the dessert…..they give the main dish too, for true nourishment. It is hard to be a true leader, because not everyone will like you. Not everyone wants to eat their vegetables.

A true leader is a healer……….not a divider of souls. Compassionate, but not a Fool. A true leader believes in Law. A true leader knows that not “everything and everyone” is okay. A true leader is aware that Evil exists, but that the power of Love and Goodness can overcome it. A true leader does the best they can to love their fellow man. Sometimes when it seems that things are at their darkest, suddenly in the distance a light appears that grows stronger with time.

Shine a Light,

love, Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon

In all walks of life, each person has his or her mountain to climb, and set of circumstances to overcome. For some it can be financial, others health, and for many, seeking answers to the mysteries of Life itself.

Financially we all want to be able to afford the best things in life, while at the same time setting aside enough so we can retire in comfort. Health is wealth…..we hope that each day our quality of life is maintained and that we are humble and wise to continue to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. It is common, at some point in life, for a person to hit what I call “the wall,” the point where many of us realize we are mortal and there has to be a reason for living.

I recently took a walk with a friend of mine, where we were discussing some of these points. It’s always interesting having a conversation with somebody where both of you ask questions and give answers, and lo and behold, arrive at a place in a conversation where you never expected to go. We discussed how everyone has to deal with the frailties of life. Each person, having their own distinctive set of circumstances to deal with. There is always something that we have to deal with….all problems are equal…financial, health, …whatever problems arise, the level of intensity is equal. What we do as human beings is set them on different levels of importance, when they really are all on the same level, because they are all interconnected. Many wise people go through their whole lives and never understand this, until moments before their death. Everything is interconnected. We deny the importance of certain situations, and therefore aren’t always able to take care of them because we have put them on different levels. Stress is stress, period…no matter where it comes from.

Each life is equal……..mankind assigns the value of one life over another……when really we come into this world naked, and leave the same way. As we tackle and deal with our human frailties, hopefully we never lose sight that between birth and death only the Love we share with others will give us the strength to fight on and be remembered when the battle of life is over.

Be strong,

Jennifer Avalon
© 2000 Jennifer Avalon